Page 45

Chapter forty-five

The threats continue to come through on my phone, and as much as they scare the crap out of me, I haven’t told Steel about them yet. I’m worried about myself, but I’m more concerned about him. He’s run so thin between the club stuff he has going on and the attacks from the Night Skulls that have picked back up.

Sage and Hendrick were kidnapped recently, and from what I was able to piece together, it was bad. The poor thing has been in a coma for the last few days now, and Crow is going out of his mind. My heart hurts for both of them. Shoot, it hurts for the whole club. The strain is beginning to show on Steel’s face, and tension hangs heavily over the clubhouse.

There’s been so many times over the last week that I’ve considered running. If I do that, Killer will follow me and leave the Dirty Mavericks alone. All the problems the Night Skulls are delivering is because of me. I know they already had stuff going on because of the lifestyle they live, and it’s a given that they probably always do, but Killer seems bigger somehow, like he’s an enemy they’d normally not go up against if they can help it.

But no matter how much I consider running, I won’t do it. I made a promise to Lyric, and there’s no way I’ll break that promise to her.

So, I’ve been practicing to protect her. Steel set me up a little shooting range out back, and when he can, he trains with me in self-defense. If he’s unable to do it, he gets another club member he trusts to spar with me.

Thrasher’s been teaching me all the ways I can harm someone with a knife, and Phantom and Blade are working with me on stealth. Those exercises are fun despite the seriousness of why I’m having to do them. It’s like an adult version of hide and seek. Granted, it’ll be much more serious when I’m in a life and death situation.

By the time evening rolls around each day, I’m so exhausted and just want to climb in a hot shower and go to bed. I wouldn’t miss my time with my girl for anything, though. They’re some of the most precious moments of my life.

Today is an off day from my training, and Lyric is with her grandparents, so I grab my camera and gun and head out for a stroll. Steel has such a beautiful piece of property, and there’s so many things to photograph. I don’t go out too far from the house, knowing Steel has someone watching over me.

Too bad Lyric isn’t here because we could have our own little photoshoot out here. Her daddy tucked her safely away with his parents after Sage and Hendrick were kidnapped. I miss her, but I’d rather her be safe. I make a mental note to set it up for later, though, because our girl would absolutely love doing something fun like that.

On my way back to the house, I let my camera hang around my neck and pull my phone out. I haven’t talked to my brother, Reed, lately. He’s probably concerned by now, but he hates talking on the phone, so it’ll be me who has to reach out.

“Bailee,” Reed answers.

“Hey, Ree Ree!”

“How are you? Staying safe?”

“Yeah. Steel is doing a good job protecting me. He’s also training me more in self-defense and how to get maximum effect with whatever weapon I’m able to use. I know you and Jedreck taught me all that stuff about surviving in the woods, and it kept me safe when I was running from Killer, but I need more, you know?”

“I don’t like this, Bailee. Just come home. We’ll get you some guards.”

“No. I don’t need guards. I’ve been protecting myself far longer than you can imagine, big brother. Plus, I got them into this mess with Killer. There’s no way I’m going to let them face it alone while I hide behind your money. “

“What did you mean?” he asks sharply.

I sigh, climbing the porch steps and dropping into the swing. “Something we’re eventually going to talk about. I just don’t really have the energy to get into it right now.”

Reed growls, and it sends me into a fit of giggles. It reminds me so much of the happier times in our childhood.

“Look, it’s okay. I’m okay, but Steel pointed out it’s something you and Jedreck should know and, honestly, I’m tired of all the secrets.”

Reed sighs, knowing from experience that I won’t tell him until I’m ready, and I can hear the squeaking of his office chair as he leans back in it. “Are you sure you won’t come home and let me put guards on you?”

“I’m sure. Those guards don’t have a personal stake in this like Steel and the Dirty Mavericks do.”

We chat a bit longer about Mom, Jedreck, and Macey, our half-sister, before we finish up our call.

I’d never really had a close relationship with my brothers—my father ensured that—but they’ve been there at times when I needed them.

Mostly.

I used to blame Reed and Jedreck for what I was going through with Dad, but as I got older, I understood how wrong that was. Reed couldn’t have stopped him, and Jed was too young to do anything. All it would have done was put them in the crosshairs, and I loved them too much to do that.

Mom, however, I still carry some anger toward. She always turned a blind eye.

There’s a lot of energy running through me now after that conversation, and there’s no way I’m going to be able to just sit around here twiddling my thumbs while shit I don’t want to think about runs through my head. Plus, I haven’t been to Sinful Saloon since the club went on lockdown.

Hopefully, Reeva isn’t too mad at me.

Pulling up Steel’s contact, I wait for it to ring as I use my foot to set the swing in motion.

“Hummingbird, everything okay?” Steel answers.

“Yes. I’m going to head into Sinful Saloon to see if they could use my help. Lyric is safe with your parents, and I’m slowly going out of my mind. I’ll be safe, I promise.”

“I don’t like it,” he growls.

“I know,” I soothe, “but I’m merely letting you know as a courtesy. I’m not asking for permission.”

He lets out sigh of frustration. “Take your gun.”

“Fine.”

“Text me when you leave the house and when you get there,” he orders.

“Yes, bossman.”

“Brat.”

“Love you, Jericho,” I whisper.

“Yeah, me too,” he says in a low tone, and I detect a hint of unsureness in it.

It worries me and leaves me wondering if he meant it when he said those words to me the other day. He’s not said them to me since, and I guess there’s a part of me that’s still waiting for him to walk away and go back to Heather.

After getting dressed and doing my hair and makeup, I grab the gun Steel bought for me and put it in my bag. Then I send him a text before I fire up the Bronco and head to Sinful Saloon.

I deliver the drinks to a group of rowdy college guys, laughing at their harmless flirting.

Reeva chuckles. “You’re popular tonight.”

“Only because I’m a pretty new face.”

“Eh, I think you’re downplaying your charm.”

The eyes are back on me again.

The skin on the back of my neck tingles, so I use the mirror behind the bar to check out the room. Lighting is dim, mostly aimed at the stage where Lennox is strutting across it in a sensual move as she toys with their senses. It makes it harder to spot anyone who might be staring at me. Unable to find them, I let out a groan of frustration. Over time, the feeling fades, and I’m able to forget about it as I focus on other customers.

I’m a sweaty mess by the time I’m able to get a break to use the restroom. Coming in tonight was just what I needed. It’s kept me distracted enough that I haven’t thought about all the bullshit going on. It’s only a short reprieve, and I actually feel like crap for needing a breather when Steel doesn’t get one.

But it’s more than just Killer on my mind. Lyric has been spending more time with Heather. While I always want to encourage that, there’s something that’s got me on edge about it too.

I would chalk it up to jealousy, but that’s just not who I am, and it doesn’t fit with this bit of terror that runs through my veins.

I’m so lost in my thoughts while I wash my hands that I miss the door opening and people coming in. Suddenly, my arms are yanked behind me and a piece of tape is slapped over my mouth. I try to pull away, but the man who has me locked in his hold is twice my size and weight.

When I catch his reflection in the mirror, the emptiness in his eyes is all I need to know.

He belongs to Killer.

They were going to catch up with me eventually.

A feminine snicker has my eyes falling to the figure standing at the door. My eyebrows furrow as I try to figure out who it is. After she locks the door and steps closer, her disguised features become clearer, and the face I always find staring back at me from a photo on Lyric’s dresser becomes evident.

Honestly, it doesn’t even surprise me. My gut was warning me.

I start trying to get loose again, but it only serves to anger them because she balls up her fist and punches me in my stomach. It steals my breath, but I’ve been hit by someone a lot meaner than her.

I surprise the guy holding me when I lift my foot behind me and nail him in the nuts. It’s one of the most vulnerable parts on a man, and it’s a move that works when you’re in a bind. Granted, it used to anger my dad further, but it’s worth the extra anger if it gets me loose. The man lets out a sharp curse and releases my arms as he doubles over.

Heather comes at me again when I go to tear the tape from my mouth. She gets a couple hits to my body, yanking grunts from me as I try to protect myself the best I can while I try to remove the tape.

I’m in a race against time because as soon as the man isn’t crying over his hurt balls, it’ll be two on one.

“Bitch,” I gasp out once I tear the tape from my mouth.

Heather comes at me again, but I’m ready for her. I grab her by the hair and smack her face into the sink, relishing the way she cries out sharply as the metallic scent of her blood spreads out around us.

“Why?” I spit out.

“Because they’re mine,” she snarls, spitting blood into the sink.

I know better than to not stay aware of my surroundings. It’s a mistake that costs me when the man wraps his arm around my throat and pulls me away from her.

My airway is cut off as his hold tightens, and I claw at his arm when I’m unable to drag in air. Heather laughs, straightening her blouse and wiping the blood from her face.

“See, I know what’s going on now. You’ve been a naughty girl and have some bad men wanting your blood. I can’t have you bringing that stuff to my daughter, can I? I’m her mommy, and it’s my job to protect her.”

I snort, earning me another punch to my side.

“It was easy to convince Killer it’d be more fun to play with you. All I had to do was spread my legs for him. He agreed and taught me all kinds of useful things.”

“Probably how to suck his tiny cock like a good little whore,” I taunt, knowing they’re not letting me out of here without causing me more pain first.

With an angry cry, she takes a knife that she magically produced from somewhere and shoves it into my side.

“Motherfucker,” I gasp.

I really should learn to pay more attention to what’s going on around me.

The guy behind me chuckles, licking up the side of my neck. His dick rubs against my ass, and I fight off the urge to gag.

“So tough,” he croons. “It’s gonna be fun watching you break.”

“Crap, crap, crap,” Heather chants as she stares at the bloody blade in her hand.

Blood leaks out of my side, but I can tell from experience that she didn’t hit anything vital. It can still be deadly if I don’t get it stitched up, though. It’s not the first time I’ve been stabbed. Dad did it for sport just to keep me under his control, so I learned how to sew myself up by the time I was sixteen. Honestly, I could probably give a distinguished surgeon a run for their money on their sutures.

The man behind me passes Heather a gun that she points at me with a shaking hand. “If you move, I’m going to shoot you.”

“I have no doubt, you crazy bitch.”

If she shoots, there’s a good chance she won’t hit anyone with how unsteady her hands are. All my weapons are in my locker because I didn’t fucking think. I got complacent because I hadn’t been attacked yet despite the many threats.

As she keeps the weapon aimed at me, the man drags me over to a stall door, pulling out a set of cuffs and sliding them through the little slot part where it closes.

“Why haven’t you screamed yet?” Heather asks, a wrinkle between her brows.

“And bring others into your shit? Into my shit? Fuck you.”

She marches up to me and places the barrel against my forehead. If I only had myself to worry about, I’d taunt her, but the shiftiness in her eyes keeps me alert. One wrong move and this crazy bitch will put a bullet in my head.

“Slow down, sugar,” the man drawls the warning at Heather. “We have a plan.”

“She’s gonna tell him,” Heather says.

The guy shoves me to the floor, maneuvering me with his arms and legs into position then snaps the cuffs around my wrists. I yank, growing frustrated when I’m unable to do anything.

“She’s right. I’m going to tell him. What do you think is going to happen when I do?” I ask the Night Skulls member.

He clucks his tongue and lifts his booted foot to place it over the fucking knife wound and puts his weight on it.

Sharp pain shoots from the wound, through my body, and into my brain. Licks of fire dance over my skin, causing me to cry out as my vision goes fuzzy.

His lips curve in a gleeful smile. “Killer is gonna give you the opportunity to protect the people you love. If you don’t hand yourself over to him, he’s coming for everyone.” He runs the knife in his hand down my cheek and leans in to whisper, “Including that pretty little girl you claim as your own.”

My body stills at the threat, and he smiles victoriously.

He taps the knife against my cheek. “Now, sit back and enjoy the show.” The man walks over to Heather. “Ready?”

As soon as she nods, he nails her in the face with his fist. The power behind the hit has me flinching in sympathy even though I don’t like Heather. The he drags his nails down her neck, leaving three deep, bloody welts behind.

Heather, the crazy bitch, just laughs and looks at over me. Her face is already starting to swell from where I slammed her into the sink and then him blasting her with his meaty fist. “Steel is going to believe you attacked me because you were jealous over Lyric, then he’s not going to want you anymore.”

My eyes widen when I realize she’s making it look like I’m the one who left those marks on her and why they’re so careful to make sure I have wounds that can’t be seen. My pulse races as I come to terms with how psychopathic my little girl’s mother truly is.

Fear jumps into my veins as I piece together what all of this could mean. Steel said Killer has chosen me to play psychological games with. What’s more torture than wondering what’s going to happen to the two people I love most?

My biggest insecurity is standing right in front of me, and I’m about to learn how much pull she actually has with Steel and how much he trusts me over the mother of his child.

The fog in my head is growing more dense, and I know I need to get this wound tended to before I lose much more blood. So, I do what I should have done from the beginning. I open my mouth and scream.

And scream.

And scream.

I keep screaming even after they rush out in a panic, not wanting to be caught and have their plan ruined.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck, Bailee,” Reeva chants, pulling her shirt off and holding it against the wound in my side. “We need to get you to the hospital, and I need to call Steel.”

Terror overtakes me when I think of all the ways that could go wrong if Killer finds out. “No. No hospital, and no Steel.”

“That’s not a good idea, Firefly. This is a lot of blood.”

In the short time I’ve known her, I’ve never seen Reeva get flustered about anything, but the idea of me being wounded and not getting help or informing her boss has her in fits.

“I’ll be okay. Just get me out of these cuffs and find me a needle and thread.”

“You need to let Steel know, babe.”

I shake my head. “I can’t.”

“Goddammit,” she spits, keeping one hand on her bloody shirt at my side and using the other to grab her phone. “You’re gonna owe me huge.”

I close my eyes, but they don’t fall for long before her hand connects with my face.

“Open them, babe.”

She turns her attention back to her phone when I blink up at her. “Georgia Rose, go to my office and grab my keys. Then get in my desk and grab the first aid kit from the bottom drawer. Bring everything to me in the women’s bathroom. Don’t say a fucking word to anyone.”

“I’m going to live,” I reassure her. “Believe it or not, this is child’s play compared to the shit my dad did to me.”

“You’ve lived one hell of a life, girl,” she says, shaking her head sadly.

“If only you knew,” I breath out.

“Oh, sweet baby beef cakes,” Georgia Rose exclaims when she steps into the bathroom and locks the door behind her. “What can I do?”

“Find the handcuff key and unlock her hands.”

Once I’m free, they help me sit up against the stall. Reeva digs through the first aid kit, grabbing some gloves, a small travel size bottle of peroxide and alcohol, and a whole ass suture kit.

She sees my curiosity and shakes her head. “Don’t ask.”

“I can do it,” I mumble, holding out my hand.

Reeva gently pushes my hand away as Georgia Rose grabs the pair of scissors. She leans around Reeva and cuts my shirt, pulling it away from the wound so Reeva can get to it.

I close my eyes and lean my head back, disassociating from the pain. I suppose I should be thankful for the hell my father put me through. Who would have thought I’d grow up needing the things I learned at his vicious hands?

The threats uttered in my ear by the Night Skulls member plays on an endless loop in my head.

My life for theirs.

For hers .

Can Steel protect her enough if I do tell him? Will they really leave the Dirty Mavericks alone if I hand myself over?

I’m not ready to die, but I’m not ready to watch others I love do it either.

“All done.” Reeva looks at me with a new respect in her eyes. “I don’t know how you did that without flinching.”

“Lots of practice,” I tell her, glancing down at the bandage on my side. “Seems you know what you’re doing.”

“Lots of practice,” she replies with a blank face.

“Well, I appreciate it.”

“Okay. Can someone please tell me what in the ever-lovin’ world happened now?” Georgia Rose exclaims.

“The less you know, the better.” They see me struggling to stand and slide their arms around me, carefully guiding me to my feet. “I just need you to promise you won’t say anything to anyone about what happened. They have a plan that I’m not going to let them complete. I’ll figure something out.”

“This is a bad idea,” Reeva says again.

“Probably. Do either of you have a shirt I can borrow?”

“I’ll go grab you both something while you clean up,” Georgia Rose says, climbing to her feet.

Reeva and I are quiet as we do our best to clean up all the blood left behind. Me because I’m just too fucking exhausted, and Reeva because she’s obviously shocked at everything that happened in this room. Honestly, she’s not the only one.

I thank Georgia Rose when she passes me a shirt and helps me put it on. They try to stop me when they figure out I’m planning to drive myself home, but when I explain to them about needing to do this my way, Reeva threatens to have my ass if this comes back to bite them.

She didn’t need to worry anyway because Steel makes it easy to hide my injuries from him since he doesn’t get in until late, and by the time I get up in the morning, he’s already gone.